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Traveling Tips for the Holiday Season

The holiday season is probably one of the busiest for the majority of us, for many reasons. Add any holiday travel plans into the mix and stress levels can begin to rise. With stricter security guidelines and long lines, it’s easy to focus merely on making it to your destination. However, this time of year is also busy for thieves who will often seize opportunities when the unsuspecting victim is distracted or otherwise unaware of his or her surroundings. Stay vigilant this year when traveling for the holidays by using the tips below, and ensure your holidays stay as they… Read More »Traveling Tips for the Holiday Season

The Growing Problem of Medical Identity Theft

The growing problem of medical identity theft and the havoc it wreaks with its victims is highlighted in a recent Bloomberg article. Medical identity theft victims are usually reticent to share the details of the crime since the theft is felt as such a personal violation. Details of the theft are shared here, as well as ID Experts’ investigative and restoration efforts on the victim’s behalf, including the challenges to unraveling the tangled web of medical identity theft. “Arnold Salinas knows a lot about the person who stole his identity. He’s 5-foot-9, 190 pounds. He pays for pizzas with forged… Read More »The Growing Problem of Medical Identity Theft

U.S. Releases New Health Insurance Reform Rules

The U.S. administration proposed new health insurance rules aimed at ending discrimination against the sick and guaranteeing minimum benefits for millions of Americans who are expected to obtain coverage under President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform law. The rules, unveiled by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, provide states and insurers with details about how the Obama administration intends to achieve its long-stated goals of guaranteeing access to those with preexisting conditions and making affordable coverage available to families through new online health insurance exchanges. The administration also proposed rules laying out new consumer protections for wellness and other preventive… Read More »U.S. Releases New Health Insurance Reform Rules

Ensure Your Inventory is On Time

1. Perfect your plan Every savvy shopper has a plan for buying the perfect gifts. Do you have a plan for making sure those must-have gifts are available on your shelves throughout the shopping season? Now is the time to know which products will be in big demand and plan your holiday sales strategy so those key items are available. Your plan should include: Identifying which products make up the largest portion of your sales Making arrangements with suppliers to have those products available before and during the start of the holiday shopping season Knowing your options or limitations for… Read More »Ensure Your Inventory is On Time

Smart Hiring Practices

In preparation for the holiday shopping season, you may find yourself in need of hiring additional staff.  A poor hiring decision can create financial and operational problems as well as expose a business to a variety of risks.  The estimated cost of a poor hiring decision varies, but research indicates on average, an organization is likely to lose 2 1/2 times the amount of the person’s annual salary. With this in mind, it is apparent why proper screening and selection procedures are important to avoid financial and operational problems down the road. Selecting skilled, dependable employees is the starting point for an effective risk… Read More »Smart Hiring Practices

Identity Theft Risks After an Auto Accident

Each year, millions of Americans become victims of a car crash that causes mess on their day (and often their body and vehicle.) Auto accidents are stressful situations that can lead us to reveal more of our personal information to strangers than necessary. Even small fender benders can cause long-term pain if a friendly exchange of info leads to a compromise of one’s most sensitive personally-identifying data. A recent survey taken by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) revealed that many of us don’t know the proper steps to take after an accident, and most of us share too… Read More »Identity Theft Risks After an Auto Accident

Accountants Professional Liability Policy

An accountant created a financial statement for a client in which a miscalculation resulted in a $1.2M understatement. The cost to have the error corrected by another firm was $150,000*. If this type of situation occurred with you, would you have the right coverage and a top carrier to help you pay the expenses? With Accountants Professional Liability Policy Accounting Firms can enjoy: Subpoena coverage endorsement Discrimination defense coverage, up to $50,000 per policy period Network Security and Theft of Data endorsement Innocent Insured coverage Coverage for newly acquired entities with five or fewer professionals and predecessor firms Worldwide coverage territory, provided… Read More »Accountants Professional Liability Policy

Booster Seats Safety Improved in 2012

Fifteen of 17 booster seats introduced in 2012 earn the top rating of BEST BET from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, evidence that more than ever, manufacturers are designing seats to provide good safety belt fit for booster-age children.

The improvements mean that BEST BET boosters now outnumber seats in any of the three other categories for the first time since the Institute released its inaugural booster ratings in 2008. Boosters are supposed to improve how adult lap and shoulder belts fit children so the belts can properly restrain them in crashes. BEST BET boosters correctly position belts on a typical 4-to-8-year-old child in almost any car, minivan or SUV.

“Booster manufacturers have risen to the Institute’s challenge to improve seat design, giving parents more choices than ever when shopping for a booster that will provide a good, safe fit for their children,” says Anne McCartt, Institute senior vice president for research.Read More »Booster Seats Safety Improved in 2012

How to Protect Against Identity Theft in College

By Menachem Wecker In interviews ahead of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which runs through the end of October, cyber security experts—both here and abroad—said identity theft is a serious problem, which may require extra vigilance on college campuses. Identity theft can mean anything from users’ online bank accounts being compromised to their E-mail accounts being hacked and used to mass-distribute spam. “Universities are, by their nature, open, trusting environments. Nobody thinks that they will be subject to an attack, and that isn’t just isolated to students,” says Alan Woodward, a cyber security specialist and visiting professor at the University… Read More »How to Protect Against Identity Theft in College

How to Reduce False Alarm Alert

What is a false alarm? A false alarm is when law enforcement finds no evidence of a criminal act or evidence of an attempted criminal act when responding to a commercial or residential alarm. Three main causes of false alarms are: User errors Poorly installed or maintained equipment Failure of equipment More than 66% of false alarms are caused by user error and 20% of alarm users cause 80% of all false alarms. Check with your local police department, some cities have ordinances regarding false alarms which allow for fines or charges for responding to false alarm calls. Steps for… Read More »How to Reduce False Alarm Alert